When Shivali Vakil launched Artchetype Studio in 2017, she wanted to create a niche business, one that would provide desktop essentials and stationery, with elements of architecture and interior design. Shivali has a strong background in design; she has studied at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, worked with eminent architects in Mumbai and is passionate about creating inspiring work spaces.

With a demanding career as an architect, Shivali realised that the best way to start her business would be online as this could allow her flexibility of time with minimal financial investment. However, she did not have the time to hire developers to create an eCommerce store from scratch and there was no guarantee that the eStore would turn out the way she envisaged.

Linker.store to the rescue

Considering these concerns and challenges, Shivali opted to use Linker.store, GlobalLinker’s DIY eCommerce platform that allows users to create an online store for free. To Shivali’s surprise, her eCommerce store, Artchetype Studio, was ready in a matter of days! Linker.store made designing her online store super quick and easy. She could completely customise her online store as per her preferences, and it even came integrated with logistics providers and payment gateways.

Considering these concerns and challenges, Shivali opted to use Linker.store, GlobalLinker’s DIY eCommerce platform that allows users to create an online store for free. To Shivali’s surprise, her eCommerce store, Artchetype Studio, was ready in a matter of days.

Linker.store made designing her online store super quick and easy. She could customise her online store to suit her preference, and it even came integrated with logistics providers and payment gateways.

Shivali shares, “Honestly my journey with Linker.store has been extremely easy and hassle-free. I know people who really struggle with their website, trying to design it and figure out logistics and everything. At Linker.store, there are standard artwork sizes that you create banners for; you have the logistics integrated, and payment options are automated. Customers are happy because shipping happens very fast. I have nothing to worry about!”

Honestly my journey with Linker.store has been extremely easy and hassle-free. Most importantly, it's increased my sales. I started with selling 75 planners and each year the number has gone up by thousands.

She adds, “My interactions with customers in terms of explaining what I offer and organising shipping, has been minimised. Linker.store has cut back on the entire expense of having to hire someone to answer questions and relay facts. Most importantly, it's increased my sales. I started with selling 75 planners and each year the number has gone up by thousands.”

With Linker.store, Shivali could then focus on the fun bit — designing stationery and desk essentials that evoke joy. The Artchetype Studio eCommerce store showcases beautiful stationery, notebooks, calendars and planners that make even the most mundane tasks memorable. The eCommerce store also features special discounts, an adorable mascot (Cubo) and gift hampers. 

Results

With the help of GlobalLinker’s eCommerce ecosystem, Linker.store, Shivali’s dream was nurtured and created into a state-of-the-art online store. Through word of mouth and smart social media promotions, especially on Instagram, Shivali has built a strong brand identity and a loyal clientele for Artchetype Studio. Her store sales have tripled in the last two years and she has a turnover of more than a crore now.

A fresh and evolving product range, a smart social media strategy, an easy to navigate store layout, a robust payment gateway and logistics — these are some of the key factors that have contributed to Artchetype Studio’s phenomenal success.

Expanding the product range and market

With the fast growth of Artchetype Studio, Shivali is now looking to expand her horizons. She explains, “Artchetype has reached that point where we feel the need to expand our range of products and our number of products. With my knowledge and background in architecture, I am looking to combine stationery and desk essentials along with creating spaces that are inspiring. So, aside from paper based flat products, we want to start creating an entire space that you find inspiring and want to work in. For now, we will explore with home décor, but it could evolve into room essentials, storage essentials and perhaps into furniture.”

Shivali is also looking to take Artchetype Studio beyond India’s shores, in the spirit of ‘Local se Global'. She shares, “As we spend a large part of our lives either pursuing our passions or at our workspaces, the question comes up - do our work spaces and the environs we work and ideate in reflect our moods and personalities? Artchetype products are a way of creating small personal spaces and objects to reflect our customers' moods and aspirations. I am now looking forward to selling my products globally.”

Visit Artchetype Studio - www.artchetypestudio.linker.store

Also read: A business dream comes to life with a customised online store

Disclaimer: This article is based solely on the inputs shared by the featured member. GlobalLinker does not necessarily endorse the views, opinions & facts stated by the member.